Support our Troops and Veterans with Holiday Mail for Heroes

Statement

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) is reminding folks in southwest Michigan to keep our troops and veterans foremost in their thoughts by participating in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. have again joined forces for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program to provide Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans.

"A holiday greeting is a simple yet powerful reminder to a member of our military or one of our heroic veterans of how much their service means to us," said Upton. "With the holidays right around the corner, I hope that you will join me in sharing the spirit of the season with those who answered the call to serve."

Each year, the American Red Cross provides assistance to over 2 million service members and many of our nation's 24 million veterans. The holiday season is the perfect time to extend a warm greeting and word of gratitude to those who have served and continue to do so.

The Red Cross has requested that folks keep in mind a few guidelines:

Do...
* Include your heartfelt sentiments and sign all cards
* Entitle cards with generic salutations such as "Dear Service Member"
* Bundle groups of cards in single, large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes.

Don't...
* Send letters, care packages, or monetary gifts -- only cards are being accepted
* Include personal information such as home or email addresses
* Use glitter -- excessive amounts can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors
* Include inserts of any kind as they must be removed in the screening process

Cards must be received by Holiday Mail for Heroes no later than Friday, December 7th. Cards received after this date cannot be guaranteed delivery.

Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Upton is also collecting cards at both of his district offices in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo -- Upton will forward cards to Holiday Mail for Heroes that are received in either office by Tuesday, December 4th. Those interested may send cards to either office or drop them off in person.

St. Joseph/Benton Harbor District Office
800 Centre
800 Ship Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-982-1986

Kalamazoo District Office
157 South Kalamazoo Mall
Suite 180
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-385-0039

Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and distributed to participating Red Cross chapters nationwide. Once the cards arrive at the Red Cross chapters, they are sorted and reviewed by volunteers who then distribute them to service members, their families and veterans in communities across the country.

For additional information and card requirements, please visit with www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes.

Source